Jole Galli celebrated her first World Cup victory. © FISI

Azzurra writes history, Deromedis misses home win

At the Pellegrino Pass in the Fassa Valley, the azure blue ski crossers showed off their best side. In the women's race, a local hero pulled off a historic coup, but it was not enough for a double hit.

09. February 2025

From: never

Jole Galli secured the first World Cup victory of her career in impressive fashion at her home race in Val di Fassa – and also the first triumph of an Italian ski crosser in history. The 29-year-old, who won the World Cup in Innichen just before Christmas, had only stood on the podium for the second time, won the final ahead of Frenchwoman Marielle Berger Sabbatel, Fanny Smith (Switzerland) and Abby Mcewen (Canada).

"I didn't even know if I could compete because of my back pain, but I'm incredibly happy to have won here in Italy," Galli is quoted as saying in a press release from the Italian winter sports federation FISI. "I still have to realise what I did. I knew I was fast in the last part and I kept pushing and I did it. I fought and it's incredible. Yes, there were a few tears."

Deromedis regains lead in overall standings

A little later, the Azzurri even had a chance of winning twice, as Simone Deromedis was aiming for victory in the men's race. The Trentino rider was in the lead after the first two intermediate times, but was unable to counter the attack from Canadian Reece Howden and finally crossed the finish line in second place. The podium was completed by Ryan Regez, the winner from SaturdayThe Austrian Johannes Aujesky finished fourth. Domink Zuech (Lana) was eliminated in the quarter-finals, Yanick Gunsch (Matsch) and Daniel Moroder (St. Ulrich) failed in the qualification.

With his podium finish, Deromedis returned to the top of the overall rankings, pushing the German Florian Wilmsmann into second place. The Trentino native is in first place with 639 points, followed by Wilmsmann (620) and Howden (542). In the women's category, however, the Canadians Marielle Thompson (710) and India Sherret (690) are in the lead, with the German Daniela Maier in third place with 639 points. Galli is sixth with 491 points. The ski crossers will continue with the World Cup in Gudauri, Georgia, between February 26 and March 2.